The only moral question with suicide bombing is who the…
“The only moral question with suicide bombing is who the target is. And in that sense, the suicide bomber is no different from the stealth bomber or the cruise missile. If it is targeted at civilian people, then it is morally wrong, whether done by Bush, Blair, or a suicide bomber.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral judgment of violent tactics depends on target, not method; civilian targeting is wrong regardless of who does it.
In simple terms: Violence is immoral when it harms civilians, no matter the weapon.
Avoid harming civilians.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political decisionmaking
- military strategy
- public policy
- humanitarian law
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justifiable to target civilians for a perceived greater good?
- How do we hold leaders accountable for indirect civilian harm?
Targeting civilians is often justified by strategic goals, complicating moral clarity.